Hitching device.



T. SCHAFER.

HITGHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912.

1,055,805, k Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

wimeooeo attozuu COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CD..WASHINGTON. D. c.

THEODORE SCHAFER, 0F OLNEY, ILLINOIS.

HITCHING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THEODORE SoHArER, a citizen of the United States, residing at O1- ney, in the county of Richland and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hitching Devices, of which the following is a speci cation.

The present invention relates to hitching devices for horses, and has for its purpose to provide an arrangement whereby the driver may, from his position in the vehicle, readily release the horse from the hitching post; and wherein the device may be conveniently carried by the horse, while running, to the end of being readily accessible for use.

The invention further contemplates providing a device of the character in question which is of simple and durable construction, and one wherein the cost of manufacture is comparatively small.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views, Figure 1 illustrates the application of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device, with parts removed for clearness; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the device, showing its manner of application, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 1 is a detail view of the lock securing member, shown partly in section.

Referring to the construction in detail, and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the difierent views shown, 1 indicates one of the usual driving reins or lines, which is provided with the usual snap hook 2 for securing to the ring 3 of the bit. Said rein 1 is adapted to effect the release of the hitching device, and to carry the same in a convenient position on the side of the horse while driving.

The hitching device consists of a lock 4 carried by the rein 1 and adapted to engage with a portion of a buckle 5 which is also secured on the rein 1. The rein portion 1*, between the lock 4 and buckle 5, is adapted to encircle the post A or other object to which the horse is hitched in substantially that manner indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. The extent of the strap portion 1 may be varied Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 1, 1912.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

Serial No. 712,726.

at will through the shifting of the buckle 5, which is secured in set position through the medium of the buckle prong 6, as in the usual manner; and also through the shifting of the lock 4 on the rein and which is secured in set position through the medium of a lever 7 that is journaled on a pin 8 between lugs 9 secured to the lock casing and which has an angularly-disposed portion 10 that binds the rein against a leaf spring 11 that is secured to the lock casing through the medium of rivets 12. r

The lock consists of a latch 13 inounted on a pivot 14 and having a hooked end 15 that coitiperates with a hook 16 carried by the buckle 5, said hook 16 being constructed preferably as an integral and extended part of said buckle, as shown in the drawings. The means for raising the latch 13 to release the hook 16 consists of a lever 17 pivotally connected at 18 to a lug 19 that is formed integral with said latch, and said lever 17 has a ring portion 20 that encircles the rein 1, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Said ring portion is tightly attached to the rein 1 through the medium of a resilient member 21 that is interposed between said ring and the rein, as shown in Fig. 3. The latch 13 is kept normally into position, after engaging the hook 16, through the medium of a bowed spring 22 that binds against the rear wall of the lock casing and against a pin 23 that is mounted on the lever 17. The lock casing has an opening X at the front end thereof adapted to permit of the ready insertion and removal of the hook 16.

In use, the device is adapted to be regulated accordingly as the horse is tame or wild and to that end the latch 13 would be set to have either its full or partial engagement with the hook 16, i. 6., the hooked end 15 of the latch 13 would be allowed to have substantially that position shown in Fig. 2, or a position between that and its full raised position after releasing the hook 16.

In the use of the device, the rein portion 1 is turned around the post A and the hook 16 inserted in the lock casing to engage with the latch 13, when the parts would have that position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. And when the driver desired to unhitch the horse, after taking his seat in the vehicle, a pull on the rein 1 would effect to lift the latch 13 from engagement with the hook 16 and, at the same time, pull the lock in its entirety away from the post, when the rein section 1 would be released and the rein Would clear the post, as will be understood;

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to such features except as may be required by the claims. A

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is: a

l-. In a hitching device for horses, the combination of a driving rein; a lock adjustably secured on said rein andcomprising a pivoted member; a hook adjustably mounted on said rein and adapted to have engagement with said pivoted member; and a lever mounted on said pivotedmember and having connection with the rein and adapted to release the same from looking engagement through a pull on said rein, substantially as describe 2. In a hitching device for horses, the

combination of a driving rein; a lock adsaidlock and comprising a hook adapted to. engage with the hook of said lock, the rein portion intermediate said buckle and lock *adapted to encircle the hitching post; a lever having a portion" encircling and secured, to said rein, and. connected with; said.- pivotally mounted hook and adaptedlto effect the. rie lease of said hook through a pull on the rein; and a spring engaging with said lever and normally holding said hook in engaging position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence oftwo Witnesses.

THEODORE SCHAFER.

Witnesses:

T. I. WiLHoYT, AnoLPH Anon.

Copies of-this patent-may bewbtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 0.

Commissioner of Patents 

